Armament for mail and express cars



May l, 1923. 1,453,792 E. A. GROSS ARMAMENT FOR MAIL AND EXPRESS CARS Filed May 24, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 May l, 1923.

` v 1,453,792 E. A. GRoss ARMAMENT FOR MAIL AND EXPRSS CARS Filed May 24, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IEITLEST. [i1-n 55 www @Hmuelf z 2 4 o 9 .mw m 7u! w 3 S n 5 rl@ a. y e .l s 4 s R A C s m 2 mw X l OD. 4 RMZ @uw AMM .d Eme Fin, TF N E M A M R A May l, 1923.

EFTLEETR- [317055 Patented, May l, 1923.

ET l S 'FEES OFICE.

ERNEST ALBION GROSS, OF LAMOIL'LE, MINNESOTA.

ARMAMENI FOR MAIL AND EXPRESS CARS.

Application filed May 24, 1922.

1/ 0 all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ERNEST A. GRoss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lamoille, in the county of Winona and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and ,useful Improvements in Armament for Mail and Express Cars, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to armament for vehicles which are utilized for carrying val- .uables, suoli as mail and the like, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a novel device for use in connection with mail and express railway cars, which will form an adequate protection for the mail or -express messengers and guards and permit the messengers or guards to defend the car against bandits, without exposing themselves to danger.

Another object of the invention is the provison ofl a bullet proof box incorporated with a mail or express car, the box having means for allowing the defenders of the car to shoot both inside and outside of the car, so as to effectively permit the defense of the ,-car both from bandits which may be on the inside or outside of the car.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a bullet proof steel box having means for pern'iitting the same to be extended out of the car a limited distance, so as to permit the defenders of the car positioned in the boxes to command approach to the car from the sides thereof, the box being of such a size and configuration that the same when projected out from the car will not form obstructions to the car when the same is in motion.

' A further object of the invention is the provision of armaments for railway cars formed of bullet proof material, such as sheet steel of the desired gauge, and including defense boxes, the boxes being so constructed as to collapse against the side walls of the car when the same are not in use,

vthereby forming a protecting device which tion.

Serial No. l563,298.

l/Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which drawings:

Figure l is a transverse section through a railway car showing the improved armament devices incorporated therewith, one of the same being shown -in collapsed inoperative position, and the other in its extended operative position.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal horizontal section through a railway car, showing a pair of improved armament devices incorporated therewith in plan, one of the devices being shown in collapsed ino-perative position and the other in its extended operative position.

Figure 3 is an inner or front elevation of one of the armament devices showing the same incorporated with a car.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section through the armament device and car, taken on the line ir-1 of Figure 3, showing the armament device in collapsed or inoperative position.

Figure 5 is a vertical section through the improved armament device taken on the line 5 5 0f Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the locking means carried by the door of the improved device.

Figure 6 is a. vertical section taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 5 looking in the direction of the door and showing the locking means carried thereby.

Figure 7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail,where in similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the severalv views, `the letter A indicates a railway car; and B, the improved armament devices incorporated therewith.

The ailway car A is of the usual construction with the exception that openings l0 are formed in the side walls l1 and 1Q thereof to permit the armament devices B to be extended out of the car as shown in Figures l, 2, 5 and 7 of the drawings. The floor 13 of the car A also forms means for supporting certainv parts of the improved armament devicesv B.

The armament devices B are disposed at advantageous points on the car and in the v and a front wall 19.

drawings two of the devices have been shown arranged directly opposite each other. As all ofv armament devices are constructed the same, only one will be described in detail.

The armament device B is preferably formed of bullet prooiI material, such as sheet steel oi the desired gauge and consists of a rigid section C and a collapsible section D. The rigid section C has a width substantially equal to the width et the side walls 11 and 12 of the car A.. with which the sa-n'ie is associated, and is adapted to be projected out of the car a suiiicient distance tov Vpermit a person stationed within the armament device to control approach to the car from the sides thereof. in actual practice, the distance which the rigid section C protrudes out of the car will only be about six-inches or less and thus the armament device may beextended when the car is in motion without the likelihood or' the same coming into contact with objects facing alongside of the track.

This rigid section C includes side walls 15 and 16, bottom and top ".valls 17 and 18, rlhe front wall 19 can be provided with a `lace plate 20, the edges of which can protrude beyond the front wall to provide stop anges 21 for engaging against the outer tace of the side walls or the car when the armament device is in its retracted inoperative position as clearly shown in Figure L1 of the drawings. rlhese flanges 21 not only constitutes stops, but also constitute means for forming a tight joint between the armament device and the outer face of the car. The side walls l and 16 and the top and bottom walls 18 and 17 can be connected in any preferred manner to the front wall 19 and as shown, these walls are formed integral with the front wall.

The collapsible section D consists ot side walls 25 and 26, bottom and top walls 27 and 28, and a front wall or door 29. The side walls 25 and 26 are connected respectively to the rigid side walls and 16 of the section C b y means ot' hinges 30 and 31, and these walls are adapted to close inwardly to permit the collapsing of the device B. The wall is first folded inwardly, after which the wall 26 is swung into engagement therewith and in order to permit these walls to lie iat into engagement with each other, the rigid wall 15 ot section C' is formed narrower than the ri gid wall 16 which of course. sets the wall inwardly of the wall 26, and necessitates the same being` made wider than the wall 26. The Jiront wall or door 29 is connected by means or hinges 3s to the outer edge of the side wall 26 and when the device B is in its extended position. this wall adapted to engage 'the free or outer edge orn the wall 25. The upper and lower edges of the wall or door 29 at the free longitudinal edge thereof is provided with inwardly extending anges 33 for engaging the side wall 25 and the bottom and top walls 27 and 28. 1t so desired, the upper and lower edges of the side walls 25 and 26 can be provided with inwardly extending flanges 841 which constitute stops and rests for the upper and lower walls Y28 and 27 as will be now described. The upper and. lower walls 28 and 27 are connected by strap hinges 35 and 36 with the front wall 19 of the rigid section C, adjacent to the lower and upper ends thereof. The leaves of the hinges 35 and 36 are formed relatively long so as to permit the lower and upper walls 27 and 28 to be swung into flush engagement with the rigid lower and upper walls 1.7 and 18 of the section C when the armament device B is in its extended position.

I so desired, the outer edges of the lower and upper walls 27 and 28 may be offset as at 37 in order to permit they engagement ot the danges 34 formed on the side walls 25 and 26 and the flanges 33 formed on the front wall 29 therewith when the armament device is in its extended position. Suitable pivoted latches 38 are carried by the side walls 25 and 26 adjacent' to the upper and lower ends thereof :tor engaging the offset edges 37 of the lower and upper walls 27 and 28 when the armament device is in its extended form for holding the vsaid lower and upper walls 27 and 28 against movement. These latches clamp the lower and upper walls 27 and 28 between the flanges 3dand effectively holding the upper and lower walls in engagement therewith against movement. rlhe upper and lower walls 28 and are adapted to be folded prior to the folding of the side walls 25 and 26 and these walls 27 and 28 lie flush up against the rigid liront wall 19 of the rigid section C as clearly shown in Figure 4f of the drawings when the armament device is in its collapsed inoperative position. The front wall or door 29 ot' the collapsible section C is folded back against the side walls 26 when the side walls are in their folded position as clearly shown in Figure a of the drawings. rihis forms a relatively flat construction and the device will occupy a minimum amount of space when in its collapsed position.

A locking means' E is provided for holding the door or front wall 29 in its closed position and the device against collapsing movement whenthe same is in its extended position. and the locking device includes locking bolts a0, al and 42. The bolts 40 and -11 are disposed in vertical alignment and are slidably mounted in guides 13 carried by the iront wall or door 29 and these bolts are adapted to protrude through registering openings in the lower and upper walls 27 and 28 adjacent to the outer edges thereoi. and in the flanges 3S formed on the front wall 29. The bolt 42 is formed relatively short and is also slidably mounted within a` guide all carried by the front wall and is adapted to protrude through registering openings formed in the side wall 25 and the vertical flange Blformed on the front wall or door 29. These bolts are adapted to be actuated by links 45, 46 and 4:7, which are pivotally connected to the terminals of the double ended actuating lever 48, which is mounted at a point equi-distant its ends upon a rotatable stud t9 carried by the front wall or door 29. rThis stud is provided with an operating handle 50 and it is obvious that when this handle 5() is turned, the bolts will be brought inwardly or outwardly according to the direction in which the handle 50 is turned.

A means F is provided for moving the armament device B into extended and retracted position in relation to the side wall of the car and this device F includes an operating shaft which is mounted for rotary movement within suitable bearings 56, which are secured in an] preferred manner to the floor 18 of the car A. This shaft 55 is operatively connected to vertically disposed counter' shafts 57 and 58 by means of bevelled gearing 59, and these shafts are located on opposite sides of the armament device B as clearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. These counter shafts: 57 and 58 are rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 60 carried by the inner face of the side wall of the car A. The lower rigid wall 17 of the section C of the device B supports inwardly extending rack bars 6l and 62, which are adapted to be operatively engaged by gear wheels 63 keyed or otherwise secured to the operating shaft. The side walls l5 and i6 of the rigid section C also support inwardly extending rack bars 64 and 65 which have meshing therewith gear wheels 66 and 67 which are keyed or otherwise secured respectively to the counter shafts 57 and 58. Thus it can be seen that when lthe shaft 55 is turned, the device A. will be projected out of or drawn into the car A according to the direction of rotation of the said shaft. The means for actuating the shaft 55 includes an operating lever 68 which has its lower end bifurcated as at 69 and mounted upon the shaft 55 for swinging movement. The shaft 55 also has keyed or otherwise secured thereto a relatively broad ratchet wheel 70 which is disposed in the bifurcated portion 69 of the operating lever 68. The opposite sides of the lever 68 at the b-ifurcated portion 69 thereof carries sets of pawls 70 and 'T1 and these sets of pawls 70 and 7l are connected by means of links 72 and 73 to a rocking actuating` handle 74. The rocking operating handle 7 4 is operatively connected to the operating lever 68 by means of a pin 75.

`When desired to extend the armamentdevice B outwardly of the car, the handle 74; n

is rocked in the appropriate direction for lifting one of the set of dogs 7 0 or 71 from out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 70 and the lever 68 is then rocked which will turn the shaft 55 in the desired direction for movingthe armament device B outwardly. 'Vhen desiredto move the armament device B inwardly, .the handle 74k is rocked in the opposite direction as is the lever 68. The walls of the armament device B are provided at appropriate points with loop holes' 8O which permit a person stationed in the armament device to lire out of the same into the body of the express car and outwardly out of the body of the express car.

lt is also preferred that the armament device be,provided with suitable gunracks where guns can be conveniently at hand.

In normal times, the armament devices B are disposed in their collapsed position so that they will occupy a minimum amount of space, but in times of danger, the collapsible side walls 25 and 26,'the lower andv upper walls 27 and 28 are swung to their extended positions and the front wall or door 29 moved to its closed position. The guard or messenger then operates the lever 68 for f moving the armament device outwardly of the car, after which the guard or messenger can step into the same and operate the lock E for closing the armament device B against access by unauthorized aersons. It now can be seen that the guard or messenger is completely shut off from all parts of the express or mail car and is fully protected by the bullet proof walls of the armament device, and he is permitted to fire out of the same in order to protect the car from as sault.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention; but,

I claim:

l. The combination with a railroad car, of an armament device therefor including a bullet proof box slidably associated with the car for moving exteriorly and interiorly thereof.

2. The combination with a vehicle, of an armament device incorporated therewith including a bullet proof collapsible box slidably associated with the vehicle having loop holes therein.

3. The combination with a vehicle including a body having an aperture thereiin of an armament device including a bullet proof` box slidably associated with the body of the vehicle arranged for movement through the said aperture exteriorly of the body.

il. The combination' with a railway car including a body, the side walls of which are provided with openings, of an arma-v ment device for the car including a rigid section and a collapsible section, means slidably associating the rigid section with the Walls of the opening formed in the body o" the car, and means for sliding` said rigid section for moving the same exteriorly of the body section ot the car.

5. rl`he combination with a railway car having side Walls, of an armament device therefor comprising a bullet prooi box including a rigid section, and a collapsible section, the collapsible sec-tion consisting ot side Walls hingedly connected to the rigid section, top and bottom Walls liingedly connected to the rigid section, and a door hingedly secured to one of the side Walls of the collapsible section.

6. rihe combination With a railway ycar including a body having` s'de Walls, of an armament device slidably associated with the side Walls including` a bullet proof box having' a rigid section, and a collapsible sec tion,` the collapsible section including` swing; inl` side Walls, and swinging tcp and bottom Walls iiingedly connected with the rigid section, a front Wall hingedly connected to one of the side Walls, and catches carried by the inner surface of the side Walls for holding the collapsible section in its extended operative position.

7. The combination with a railway car including a body having side Walls, 'of ai armament device slidably associated Wit] the side Walls including a bullet proot' bon having a rigid section, and a collapsible selction, the collapsible section including .swinging side Walls and swinging top and bottoni Walls hingedly connected with the rigid seo tion, a front Wall hingedly connected to one of the side Walls, catches arricd by the inner surface ol the side Walls for holdingl the collapsible section in its extended operative position, and a three bolt lock carried by the front Wall for locking engagement with one of the side Walls and the top and bottom Walls.

S. The combination with a railway car including a side wall having' an opening therein, oi an armament device comprising; a bullet proof box slidably associated Awith the -lValls ol the opening,- and including` a rigid section having a front Wall4 and inwardly extending side, top and 'bottom Walls, inwardly extending rack bars carried by the rigid section, a lcollapsible section hingedly connected With the rigid section, an operating shaft, a lever for rotatingv the operating shaft in either direction, and gear wheels operatively connected with the operating shaft for engaging the rack bai rlhe combination vitli a railway car having a side Wall provided with :in openw ing, an arinai'iient deviceinclud ing a bullet prooiI box slidably associated with the Walls of the opening', and arranced to be projected exteriorly ot the same a limited distance in iclnding a rigid section hai/ing a liront wall. and inwardly side, bottom and top Walle.k means for sliding the rigid section in relation to the Wall oit the car, and a tace plate carried by the front Wall ot the rigid section having its marginal edges emendingir beyond the front Wall Jor envagement with the outer iace ot the side Wall of the ear.

ERNEST ALBION GROSS. 

